JP3830294B2 - Coin dispenser - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of a coin dispensing device that dispenses coins in accordance with the amount of change from within a cassette-type coin tube that is detachably mounted.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in a device such as a vending machine, a coin processing device that determines whether a coin is true or not and pays out coins according to the amount of change is mounted.
[0003]
This coin processing device is roughly classified as follows: (1) A coin sorting device for discriminating and sorting and sorting and discriminating the denomination of the genuine coin, while determining whether the inserted coin is true or false and returning the false coin;
(2) It comprises a coin dispensing device for receiving the coins separated and sorted by this coin sorting device for each denomination and for dispensing coins according to the amount of change.
[0004]
Among these, the coin dispensing device is composed of a detachable cassette-type coin tube for loading and storing a specific coin, and a coin dispensing unit for dispensing coins from the bottom surface of the coin tube.
[0005]
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary conceptual side view showing a conventional coin dispensing apparatus 1.
[0006]
Note that the coin dispensing device 1 shown in FIG. 9 selects and stores a plurality of types of coins, selects a denomination according to the amount of change from the coins, and dispenses the coin denomination device for so-called multiple denominations. Unlike the coin dispensing apparatus that accommodates and dispenses only frequently used coins, this type of coin dispensing apparatus 1 is usually adjacent to the above-described coin dispensing apparatus for multiple denominations in the coin processing apparatus. It is arranged.
[0007]
The coin dispensing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 including a casing in which a cassette housing recess 2 that detachably accommodates one cassette-type coin tube that accommodates only specific coins that are frequently used, which will be described later, It comprises coin dispensing means 4 disposed at the lower part of the apparatus body 3.
[0008]
For the specific structure of the coin dispensing means 4, refer to Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 60-44160 previously proposed by the applicant of the present application.
[0009]
In this coin dispensing device 1, an empty sensor 5 for detecting the presence or absence of coins accommodated in a cassette-type coin tube described later is disposed below the back surface 2 a of the cassette housing recess 2. The empty sensor 5 comprises a coil wound in a circle to which a predetermined high-frequency signal is applied, and detects the presence or absence of coins as a change in impedance of the coil. The empty sensor 5 is covered with a synthetic resin such as rubber so that the coil is not damaged as much as possible by an external impact.
[0010]
The empty sensor 5 is mounted via a spring 6 in a sensor housing recess 2b formed on the back surface 2a of the cassette housing recess 2 so that the tip 5a can be moved into and out of the cassette housing recess 2.
[0011]
And in order to mount a cassette type coin tube in the cassette accommodation recessed part 2 of such a coin dispensing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 10, the lower end 10a of one cassette tube 10 is below the cassette accommodation recessed part 2. As shown in FIG. After that, the tip 10b is rotated counterclockwise as shown by the arrow F with the fulcrum as a fulcrum, and the tip 10b of the coin tube 10 and the upper surface of the apparatus main body 3 are formed as shown in FIG. The engaging claw 11a of the latch means 11 is engaged and attached.
[0012]
At that time, the tip 5 a of the empty sensor 5 is brought into close contact with the lower surface 10 c of the coin tube 10 by the biasing force of the spring 6.
[0013]
9 to 11, reference numeral 13 denotes a control board of the empty sensor 5 mounted on the back surface of the apparatus body 3.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, according to the above-described conventional coin dispensing device 1, the empty sensor 5 detects the remaining amount of coins accommodated in the coin tube 10, and thus is disposed in a portion corresponding to the lower portion of the coin tube 10. In many cases, as shown in FIG. 10, when the lower end 10a of the coin tube 10 is mounted in the cassette housing recess 2, it easily collides with the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10, and if this is repeated, it will be empty. There is a possibility that the sensor 5 itself is damaged and cannot detect the remaining amount of coins and cannot maintain the stable coin dispensing function of the coin dispensing device 1.
[0015]
In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device that can stably detect the remaining amount of coins stored in a cassette-type coin tube.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, in the present invention, an apparatus main body having a cassette receiving recess in which a cassette type coin tube is detachably mounted, and disposed on one side of the cassette receiving recess, In the coin dispensing device having at least an empty sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the remaining amount of coins stored in the cassette, the empty sensor is normally retracted from the cassette receiving recess, and the cassette type coin tube is retracted from the cassette receiving recess. It is arranged in a sensor mounting means that protrudes into the cassette housing recess and is brought into close contact with one side surface of the cassette type coin tube when mounted inside.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a coin dispensing device according to the present invention will be described in detail.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a coin dispensing apparatus 20 according to the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIGS.
[0019]
A cassette housing recess 22 for detachably mounting the cassette type coin tube 10 is formed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 21 which is a casing of the coin dispensing device 20, and below the back surface 22 a of the cassette type housing recess 22. The empty sensor 5 is mounted via the sensor mounting means 30. Note that the coin dispensing means 4 is disposed below the apparatus main body 21 as described above.
[0020]
The sensor mounting means 30 has a substantially L-shaped lever 32 that is rotatably supported around a shaft 31 below the apparatus main body 21, as shown in FIG. It is composed of
[0021]
Note that both ends of the shaft 31 are rotatably supported by bearings formed at predetermined positions of the apparatus main body 21.
[0022]
The lever 32 is formed of a relatively hard synthetic resin that covers the empty sensor 5, the empty sensor 5 is disposed at the lower end 32 a, the upper end 32 b is bent, and the central portion 32 c is the back surface of the cassette housing recess 22. It is formed so as to protrude into the cassette receiving recess 22 from the inside of the hole 22b formed in 22a.
[0023]
Further, a pin 32d protrudes from the back surface of the central portion 32c of the bent upper end 32b of the lever 32, and between the pin 21a protruded from the inner peripheral surface of the apparatus main body 21 at the opposite position, the lever A spring 33 is provided for constantly urging the bent central portion 32c of the 32 around the shaft 31 in the clockwise direction.
[0024]
As a result, the bent central portion 32c of the lever 32 is always (that is, when the cassette type coin tube 10 is not mounted in the cassette housing recess 22) from the hole 22b formed in the back surface 22a of the cassette housing recess 22. A position where the lower end 32a of the lever 32 protruding into the cassette receiving recess 22 and provided with the empty sensor 5 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined rotation angle about the shaft 31, thereby retracting from the cassette receiving recess 22 Is positioned.
[0025]
Next, the operation of the sensor mounting means 30 described above will be described.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the cassette type coin tube 10 is not mounted in the cassette housing recess 22, the bent central portion 32 c of the lever 32 by the urging force of the spring 33 is formed on the back surface 22 a of the cassette housing recess 22. The lower end 32a of the lever 32 that always protrudes from the formed hole 22b into the cassette housing recess 22 and is provided with the empty sensor 5 is positioned at a position retracted from the cassette housing recess 22.
[0027]
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower end 10 a of one cassette tube 10 is inserted below the cassette housing recess 22.
[0028]
At that time, since the empty sensor 5 is positioned at a position retracted from the cassette housing recess 22 by the rotation of the lever 32, it does not collide with the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10, and therefore the empty sensor 5 itself is damaged. The fear is reduced as much as possible.
[0029]
Thereafter, when the upper end 10b of the cassette tube 10 is rotated counterclockwise as shown by an arrow F, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the rear surface 10c of the coin tube 10 and the bent central portion 32c of the protruding lever 32 are formed. And the lever 32 rotates counterclockwise as shown by an arrow G about the shaft 31 by the biasing force.
[0030]
Then, the empty sensor 5 positioned at the lower end 32a of the lever 32 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 31, securely contacts the predetermined position on the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10, and is positioned and arranged at that position. Become.
[0031]
Therefore, according to the coin dispensing apparatus 20 described above, when the coin tube 10 is mounted, the coin tube 10 and the empty sensor 5 do not collide, so that damage to the empty sensor 5 can be reduced as much as possible.
[0032]
In the above-described embodiment, the lever 32 provided with the empty sensor 5 is simply supported so as to be rotatable about the shaft 31. However, the lever 31 is formed in the apparatus main body 21 to be supported rotatably. When the coin tube 10 is mounted in the cassette housing recess 22 due to a positioning error of a bearing portion (not shown), the center portion 32c of the lever 32 and the empty sensor 5 are strong against the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10. There is a risk that the shaft 31 may be damaged due to a strong load on the shaft 31 and bend.
[0033]
Therefore, in order to eliminate such a concern, like the coin dispensing apparatus 20 of the other embodiment of FIG. 5 in which the same parts as those in FIG. It is also possible to slidably support it toward the coin tube arrangement side (cassette housing recess 22 side).
[0034]
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part 21 of the apparatus main body 21 showing the slide means 40 described above in detail.
[0035]
A lever 32 constituting the sensor mounting means 30 is accommodated in a recess 21b formed in the apparatus main body 21, and a shaft 31 for supporting the lever 32 is arranged in the direction of arrow D (coin tube arrangement) via the slide means 40. It is slidably supported toward the installation side.
[0036]
The slide means 40 is composed of a pair of guide plates 41 erected on the back surface 21c of the recess 21b, and guide grooves 42 formed on the guide plates 41. The guide grooves 42 are formed at the end portions of the shaft 31. 31a is supported rotatably and slidable in the direction of arrow D.
[0037]
The guide groove 42 is formed in the direction of arrow D as shown.
[0038]
According to the sensor mounting means 30 to which such a slide means 40 is added, as shown in FIG. 7, when one cassette tube 10 is mounted in the cassette housing recess 22, the empty sensor 5 positioned at the lower end 32 a of the lever 32. Is rotated counterclockwise about the shaft 31, is securely in contact with a predetermined position on the back surface 10 c of the coin tube 10, and is positioned at that position.
[0039]
At that time, even if there is a slight arrangement error in the bearing portion that supports the shaft 31 of the lever 32, the slide means 40 slides the shaft 31 in the direction of the arrow D and retracts, and the arrangement error can be absorbed. Therefore, when the coin tube 10 is mounted, the central portion 32c of the lever 32 and the empty sensor 5 are not pressed against the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10 with a strong force, so that the shaft 31 is bent with a strong load. Such damage can be prevented as much as possible.
[0040]
As described above, since the shaft 31 of the lever 32 is slidably supported toward the coin tube 10 installation side via the slide means 40, the coin tube 10 side, in particular, the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10 is conversely provided. Even if there is some processing or attachment error on the side, it can be absorbed and the empty sensor 5 can be brought into close contact with a predetermined position on the back surface 10c of the coin tube 10.
[0041]
Furthermore, not only the mounting or processing error of the coin tube 10 but also, for example, when a coin tube having a small diameter and a small width in the front and rear size is installed, the size of the coin dispensing device is conventionally compatible with it. However, according to the sensor mounting means 30 to which the slide means 40 described above is added, a coin having a small diameter is accommodated as shown in FIG. Even when the coin tube 50 that accommodates a coin having a small front-rear width L is mounted in the cassette housing recess 22, the shaft 31 slides in the direction of arrow D by the slide means 40 to absorb the shape change. As a result, the central portion 32c of the lever 32 and the empty sensor 5 are brought into close contact with a predetermined position on the front surface 50c of the coin tube 50, The amplifier tee sensor 5 can be securely positioned and arranged at a predetermined position of the front 50c of the coin tube 50.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the case where the sensor mounting means 30 for supporting the empty sensor 5 is applied to the coin dispensing device 20 for mounting one coin tube 10, 50 has been described in detail. Without limitation, even if it is applied to the empty sensor of a so-called coin dispenser for multiple denominations that selects and depletes multiple types of coins, and selects and pays out denominations according to the amount of change Of course it is good.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the coin dispensing device of the present invention, the empty sensor for detecting the remaining amount of coins accommodated in the cassette-type coin tube is normally retracted from the cassette-accommodating recess, and the cassette-type coin tube When the unit is installed in the cassette housing recess, it is arranged via a sensor mounting means that protrudes into the cassette housing recess and closely contacts one side of the coin tube, so the cassette type coin tube is installed in the cassette housing recess. When this is done, there is no collision between the empty sensor and the coin tube.Therefore, a coin dispensing device capable of stably detecting the remaining amount of coins by reducing damage to the empty sensor as much as possible. Can be provided.
[0044]
In addition, the empty sensor is more firmly attached to a predetermined position on one side of the cassette-type coin tube via the sensor mounting means, so that the distance between the coin stored in the coin tube and the empty sensor becomes even more accurate. The detection accuracy of the presence or absence of coins by the sensor can be further improved.
[0045]
Also, since the sensor mounting means can be slid toward one side of the coin tube via the sliding means, not only can the mounting error of the sensor mounting means or the processing error of the coin tube be absorbed, but also coins of different sizes can be absorbed. Even when the tube is mounted, the empty sensor can be reliably arranged at a predetermined position of the coin tube.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual front view of a coin dispensing device according to the present invention.
2 is a conceptual cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view showing the operation of the coin dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view showing the operation of the coin dispensing device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the coin dispensing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cutaway perspective view of a main part of a coin dispensing device showing a sliding means.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view of a coin dispensing apparatus showing the operation of another embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view of a coin dispensing device showing the operation of another embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual sectional view of a principal part of a conventional coin dispensing device.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view showing the operation of a conventional coin dispensing device.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary conceptual sectional view showing the operation of a conventional coin dispensing device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Empty sensor 10 ... Cassette type coin tube 20 ... Coin dispensing apparatus 21 ... Apparatus main body 22 ... Cassette accommodating recessed part 30 ... Sensor mounting means 31 ... Shaft 32 ... Lever 32a ... Lower end 32b ... Upper end 33 ... Energizing means (spring)
40 ... sliding means 41 ... guide plate 42 ... guide groove

Claims (4)

An apparatus main body having a cassette housing recess in which a cassette type coin tube is detachably mounted, and the presence or absence of a coin remaining in the cassette type coin tube are provided on one side of the cassette housing recess. In a coin dispensing device having at least an empty sensor,
The empty sensor is normally retracted from the cassette housing recess, and protrudes into the cassette housing recess when the cassette coin tube is mounted in the cassette housing recess, and is placed on one side of the cassette coin tube. A coin dispensing device characterized in that it is arranged in a sensor mounting means for close contact. The sensor mounting means is a lever that is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis. The empty sensor is supported at the lower end, and the upper end is arranged so as to always protrude into the cassette housing recess by the biasing means. When the cassette type coin tube is mounted in the cassette receiving recess, the upper end of the lever is opposed to the biasing force of the biasing means on one side of the cassette type coin tube. 2. The coin payout according to claim 1, wherein the empty sensor disposed at the lower end of the cassette-type coin tube is pressed and protruded into the cassette-receiving recess to closely contact one side of the cassette-type coin tube. apparatus. The sensor mounting means is a lever that is rotatably supported around an axis below the apparatus main body, the empty sensor is supported at the lower end, and the upper end is always in the cassette housing recess by the biasing means. When the cassette type coin tube is mounted in the cassette housing recess, it comprises a lever arranged to project and slide means for slidably supporting the shaft into the cassette housing recess. One end of the cassette type coin tube is pressed against the urging force of the urging means on one side of the cassette type coin tube, and the empty sensor disposed at the lower end is projected into the cassette accommodating recess to form the cassette type coin tube. The coin dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the coin dispensing device is in close contact with one side surface of the coin tube. The sliding means is a pair of guide plates projecting in the apparatus main body, and a guide groove formed on each of the pair of guide plates and rotatably supporting one end of the shaft. The coin dispensing device according to claim (3), characterized in that it is characterized in that:

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